Quote:
What are some 3 way monitor loudspeakers you can think of...

Harbeth
Spendor

Why the hell are the above two so popular in Japan of all places?

Others?

3-way monitors from ATC, PMC, JBL, etc., too. Aside from the 3-letter acronyms, they are established in the pro field, and no need to mention the BBC lineage when it comes to Harbeths, et al.

I've been reading Stereo Sound Japan, which is probably the most gorgeously produced audio zine in the world (sorry 'phile; still love ya), and the sense I get is that there's way more fluidity between the pro world and the audiophile world in Japan than in the U.S. Sure, there's some of that here, and there's no denying that with the experience of JA & JM and whoever I'm forgetting from 'phile, there's plenty of experience in the mastering/engineering side. But somehow, it seems from my reading that both the consumers and seasoned critics/audiophiles alike in Japan do not have this bloods vs. crips mentality when it comes to pro vs. audiophile that exists in the states. It also seems that most of the Stereo Sound's current reviewer staff have background in pro, before they evolved into their current positions, which aids in this fluidity somewhat. (The critics also engage in DBTs casually there occasionally, w/o this weird do-or-die mentality which ails the audiophile scene here; many comparisons and group evaluations are also done via civil, analytical but gentle dialogue between 2 or more critics, the format of which I've been growing fond of... think unfailingly polite, but honest.)

As for Spendor, Harbeth, there's another factor. There's a veneration of UK and US gear from the heyday of stereo in Japan like you wouldn't believe. Tannoys and Jensens and JBLs rule there, and it doesn't matter what behemoths that Focals and YG Anats of the world cook up. Sure they recognize the new (like I said elsewhere in this forum, I usually read coverage of new gear from Stereo Sound months before I do in the states), but there seems to be a way bigger contingent of aficionados in Japan that are concerned with the history and the culture of the audio as much as sonic excellence, if gauging by the contents of the audio press & web forums there. You can chalk that up to traditionalism. Group-think. Sheer nostalgic fetishism. But what goes on there (and S. Korea & Hong Kong etc.) is so weirdly fascinating... it's a hybrid form of audiophilia where you'll see the latest speakers from Vivid, Lansche or Kharma get covered alongside a listening impression of this dude running a Garrard 401 with Denon 102 cart specialized for 78s via dual McIntosh C8s into Tannoys & Jensen Imperials.

I just think it's kind of ironic and a bit sad that the ones that are really keeping the flame alive, the history of it, are on the other side of the world. I know we still have our diehard fans and zealots of the 'classics,' but most of them are getting moldy from hanging around at audiokarma for too long. In the East, there's definitely a different mentality, at least from my reading of the presses and the webzines.

Thanks, bud. Kind of a lame reason, but I taught myself hiragana and katakana primarily to be able to read Stereo Sound & some easy pieces written by some Japanese fiction writers. Can't read kanji well enough at all, but for general stuff, I can squeak by. Hiragana & katakana are phonetic so they're not that hard to learn. Plus Korean is my native language and the grammatical structure of Korean is very similar to Japanese (think subject -> object structure in English flippin' on you 180 degrees).

That was a great read SD. Thanks for the insight and share.

RG

Sure thing, RG. Let me know if you or anyone's curious about some components/opinions voiced in Stereo Sound & I'll try to get back to you...

Great post, sd. Back in 1975, when I was a young man, I bought a Fisher integrated and a McIntosh tuner- both used and tubed. The seller told me to take good care of them because the Japanese were really into vintage tube gear and would pay a good price someday (I still have them).

Any truth to the stories about Japanese horn fanatics building their homes in the configuration of a giant folded horn?